P4C800-e Deluxe on board sound

I have various problems with the onboard sound. With the supplied drivers on the motherboard cd 5.1.3630, I get the occasional popping when playing MP3's. I then found new drivers 5.1.5150, these installed without any problems and the sound quality seems to be better. These drivers however have one problem, after a while when playing MP3's, my microphone also becomes a speaker i.e. I can hear the song being played though my microphone. I have to then reinstall the drivers to get it working correctly. What could be causing this problem?

I have the mic plugged into the correct port, and I use the S/PDIF connector for audio out. I had the same problem when I used the normal audio out plug

-- Regards

Brett

"Bacon and eggs. A lifetime commitment for a pig, a day's work for a chicken"

> Hi> > I have various problems with the onboard sound. With the supplied drivers on > the motherboard cd 5.1.3630, I get the occasional popping when playing > MP3's. I then found new drivers 5.1.5150, these installed without any > problems and the sound quality seems to be better. These drivers however > have one problem, after a while when playing MP3's, my microphone also > becomes a speaker i.e. I can hear the song being played though my > microphone. I have to then reinstall the drivers to get it working > correctly. What could be causing this problem?> > I have the mic plugged into the correct port, and I use the S/PDIF connector > for audio out. I had the same problem when I used the normal audio out plug

You cannot leave a microphone plugged in, when the audio is set to"six speaker" mode. The center/LFE output doubles as the microphoneinput, and the input or output direction is determined by the speakermode. In 2 or 4 channel mode, I think the center/LFE is still amicrophone input. In 6 channel mode, it becomes the center/LFE output.

It sounds like something has caused the driver to change modes. Perhaps a driver defect has changed the speaker mode ? Maybethe MP3 player requested a change to six channel mode ?

The microphone section of the chip, has a two input multiplexer. Oneside of the mux takes the microphone signal from center/LFE. Theother side of the mux takes the microphone signal from separateinputs MIC1 and MIC2. Unfortunately, I don't think MIC1 is wiredto anything on the Asus motherboard. But MIC2 goes to the FP_AUDIOheader.

What that means is, there is a possible workaround for the problem.If you can find an "Intel compatible" audio rack that fits intoa 5 1/4" drive bay for your computer, that will access MIC2 for use asa microphone input. If you then plug your microphone into thatfront panel jack, you will no longer have the problem of interference between 2-4-6 channel output mode and the microphone.An output signal cannot get to the MIC2 input pin.

A sample "Intel compatible" audio rack product is here. This oneplugs directly to the FP_AUDIO header. There are other productslike this, but look for the words "Intel compatible" with regardto the audio interface, as that will work best with the FP_AUDIOheader and cause the least headaches.

I have compared the 5150 driver to the 3630, and I found the 3630to give a "muddy" sound. If you analyse the output, the 3630 driveruses to much "reverb" or echo effect. The echo effect is applied bythe driver, and in fact when you set the Soundmax special effectmenu to "disabled", the software driver in fact is still applyingreverberation. The 5150 reduces this effect and that is why the sound is less "muddy".

For me, the 5150 did not eliminate the "popping" sound problem.I still hear it, but it is much less frequent. It is a good thingI don't regularly use the AD1985 to listen to music. I recommenta separate sound card. A sound card with a separate microphonejack will solve your microphone problem too. Even a cheap PCIsound card will give better sound than the AD1985.

"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:nospam-2309050636450001@192.168.1.178...> In article <dh0al4$b67$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net>, "bReTt"> <brettp@knowbase.co.za> wrote:>>> Hi>>>> I have various problems with the onboard sound. With the supplied drivers >> on>> the motherboard cd 5.1.3630, I get the occasional popping when playing>> MP3's. I then found new drivers 5.1.5150, these installed without any>> problems and the sound quality seems to be better. These drivers however>> have one problem, after a while when playing MP3's, my microphone also>> becomes a speaker i.e. I can hear the song being played though my>> microphone. I have to then reinstall the drivers to get it working>> correctly. What could be causing this problem?>>>> I have the mic plugged into the correct port, and I use the S/PDIF >> connector>> for audio out. I had the same problem when I used the normal audio out >> plug>> You cannot leave a microphone plugged in, when the audio is set to> "six speaker" mode. The center/LFE output doubles as the microphone> input, and the input or output direction is determined by the speaker> mode. In 2 or 4 channel mode, I think the center/LFE is still a> microphone input. In 6 channel mode, it becomes the center/LFE output.>> It sounds like something has caused the driver to change modes.> Perhaps a driver defect has changed the speaker mode ? Maybe> the MP3 player requested a change to six channel mode ?>> This page has a block diagram of the AD1985 chip:> http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD1985%2C00.html>> The PDF datasheet (the "Rev A" link near the top of the page) will> allow you to zoom into the block diagram a little better:>> http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles/Data_Sheets/1198969AD1985_a.pdf>> The microphone section of the chip, has a two input multiplexer. One> side of the mux takes the microphone signal from center/LFE. The> other side of the mux takes the microphone signal from separate> inputs MIC1 and MIC2. Unfortunately, I don't think MIC1 is wired> to anything on the Asus motherboard. But MIC2 goes to the FP_AUDIO> header.>> What that means is, there is a possible workaround for the problem.> If you can find an "Intel compatible" audio rack that fits into> a 5 1/4" drive bay for your computer, that will access MIC2 for use as> a microphone input. If you then plug your microphone into that> front panel jack, you will no longer have the problem of> interference between 2-4-6 channel output mode and the microphone.> An output signal cannot get to the MIC2 input pin.>> A sample "Intel compatible" audio rack product is here. This one> plugs directly to the FP_AUDIO header. There are other products> like this, but look for the words "Intel compatible" with regard> to the audio interface, as that will work best with the FP_AUDIO> header and cause the least headaches.>> http://www.office-trade.com/pdf/B99Z429.pdf>> I have compared the 5150 driver to the 3630, and I found the 3630> to give a "muddy" sound. If you analyse the output, the 3630 driver> uses to much "reverb" or echo effect. The echo effect is applied by> the driver, and in fact when you set the Soundmax special effect> menu to "disabled", the software driver in fact is still applying> reverberation. The 5150 reduces this effect and that is why the> sound is less "muddy".>> For me, the 5150 did not eliminate the "popping" sound problem.> I still hear it, but it is much less frequent. It is a good thing> I don't regularly use the AD1985 to listen to music. I recomment> a separate sound card. A sound card with a separate microphone> jack will solve your microphone problem too. Even a cheap PCI> sound card will give better sound than the AD1985.>> HTH,> Paul

Hi

Thanks for the info. When I install the drivers all I use are the driver files, I don't install all the other parts of the audio drivers. So I don't have the option to select 6 speaker mode etc. I did install the full package as a text, the software found the microphone port, but straight away the sound came through the speaker.

I must admit, that playing MP3's using the S/PDIF output, plugged into a Denon Received, the sound is excellent. I have compared this to a high end sound card and the differences are not really worth the extra cost.

It seems to work initially, and then after a while I have the problem listed below. It does not only happen with MP3's but also in games

Are there any other drivers that one could use? I tried the Realtek drivers, but that crashed my entire system.

> "Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message > news:nospam-2309050636450001@192.168.1.178...> > In article <dh0al4$b67$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net>, "bReTt"> > <brettp@knowbase.co.za> wrote:> >> >> Hi> >>> >> I have various problems with the onboard sound. With the supplied drivers > >> on> >> the motherboard cd 5.1.3630, I get the occasional popping when playing> >> MP3's. I then found new drivers 5.1.5150, these installed without any> >> problems and the sound quality seems to be better. These drivers however> >> have one problem, after a while when playing MP3's, my microphone also> >> becomes a speaker i.e. I can hear the song being played though my> >> microphone. I have to then reinstall the drivers to get it working> >> correctly. What could be causing this problem?> >>> >> I have the mic plugged into the correct port, and I use the S/PDIF > >> connector> >> for audio out. I had the same problem when I used the normal audio out > >> plug> >> > You cannot leave a microphone plugged in, when the audio is set to> > "six speaker" mode. The center/LFE output doubles as the microphone> > input, and the input or output direction is determined by the speaker> > mode. In 2 or 4 channel mode, I think the center/LFE is still a> > microphone input. In 6 channel mode, it becomes the center/LFE output.> >> > It sounds like something has caused the driver to change modes.> > Perhaps a driver defect has changed the speaker mode ? Maybe> > the MP3 player requested a change to six channel mode ?> >> > This page has a block diagram of the AD1985 chip:> > http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD1985%2C00.html> >> > The PDF datasheet (the "Rev A" link near the top of the page) will> > allow you to zoom into the block diagram a little better:> >> > http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles/Data_Sheets/1198969AD1985_a.pdf> >> > The microphone section of the chip, has a two input multiplexer. One> > side of the mux takes the microphone signal from center/LFE. The> > other side of the mux takes the microphone signal from separate> > inputs MIC1 and MIC2. Unfortunately, I don't think MIC1 is wired> > to anything on the Asus motherboard. But MIC2 goes to the FP_AUDIO> > header.> >> > What that means is, there is a possible workaround for the problem.> > If you can find an "Intel compatible" audio rack that fits into> > a 5 1/4" drive bay for your computer, that will access MIC2 for use as> > a microphone input. If you then plug your microphone into that> > front panel jack, you will no longer have the problem of> > interference between 2-4-6 channel output mode and the microphone.> > An output signal cannot get to the MIC2 input pin.> >> > A sample "Intel compatible" audio rack product is here. This one> > plugs directly to the FP_AUDIO header. There are other products> > like this, but look for the words "Intel compatible" with regard> > to the audio interface, as that will work best with the FP_AUDIO> > header and cause the least headaches.> >> > http://www.office-trade.com/pdf/B99Z429.pdf> >> > I have compared the 5150 driver to the 3630, and I found the 3630> > to give a "muddy" sound. If you analyse the output, the 3630 driver> > uses to much "reverb" or echo effect. The echo effect is applied by> > the driver, and in fact when you set the Soundmax special effect> > menu to "disabled", the software driver in fact is still applying> > reverberation. The 5150 reduces this effect and that is why the> > sound is less "muddy".> >> > For me, the 5150 did not eliminate the "popping" sound problem.> > I still hear it, but it is much less frequent. It is a good thing> > I don't regularly use the AD1985 to listen to music. I recomment> > a separate sound card. A sound card with a separate microphone> > jack will solve your microphone problem too. Even a cheap PCI> > sound card will give better sound than the AD1985.> >> > HTH,> > Paul> > Hi> > Thanks for the info. When I install the drivers all I use are the driver > files, I don't install all the other parts of the audio drivers. So I don't > have the option to select 6 speaker mode etc. I did install the full package > as a text, the software found the microphone port, but straight away the > sound came through the speaker.> > I must admit, that playing MP3's using the S/PDIF output, plugged into a > Denon Received, the sound is excellent. I have compared this to a high end > sound card and the differences are not really worth the extra cost.> > It seems to work initially, and then after a while I have the problem listed > below. It does not only happen with MP3's but also in games> > Are there any other drivers that one could use? I tried the Realtek drivers, > but that crashed my entire system.> > Brett

I've never tried the Realtek myself, but I understand you have tohack the installer slightly to get it to install. Probably somethingto do with an .INF file, but perhaps a little searching wouldturn up a recipe.

The posting at the bottom of this page claims no hack was necessary.I guess the enumeration of the Southbridge was enough to get itto install. I have a suspicion, all you will get with Realtek is2 channel sound, but maybe it is worth a try: